Wendy Sousa gives service with a warm smile at Caffe Latte, located on number eight York Street in St. George's, as the aroma of java permeates the shop.

Her role has been that of manager for the past year.

She is centrally located across from Somers Wharf, beside "Ronnie's'', beneath the main bus stop. Without a doubt she is one of the busiest managers in the town as Caffe Latte is the only gourmet coffee store. Most mornings this popular spot is really hopping with business! Each morning she has a dedicated group of local customers stopping in for their favourite brew, a cold beverage, breakfast sandwich, a muffin, a bagel, a danish or some other tempting food such as fresh fruit salad.

Most customers grab a copy of the Royal Gazette to accompany their coffee. The locals call Wendy by name and sometimes have a wee chat if the line isn't too long.

It is a great place to meet someone for morning coffee, as there are attractive tables with umbrellas outdoors. "During the winter it is our local customers who sustain us,'' Ms. Sousa said.

Additionally, they get a lot of foot travel from the tourists, especially when the cruise ships are in town.

"The thing I enjoy most about my job is meeting new people. I thrive on the constant rush. I also have a wonderful boss, Cathy Benevides,'' advised Ms.

Sousa.

Ms. Sousa's father and family have been involved in the restaurant business for many years in Bermuda and abroad. She has had a lot of experience with food preparation, presentation and catering.

In fact, executive catering is one of Ms. Sousa's main responsibilities.

Caffe Latte does a lot of catering for exempt companies, the banks, schools and corporate businesses.

"We aim to please our customers and we can prepare beautiful food,'' advised Ms. Sousa.

A great suggestion from Ms. Sousa is if your club is having a large meeting or party and you don't want to be bothered making huge volumes of coffee and tea, call Caffe Latte and they will do a super job catering for you and will also provide nibbles.

There is also a host of more substantial food to choose from: "Breakfast Express'' if you are hosting an early meeting.

"A.M. Express'' is assorted fresh pastries and gourmet coffee service for about $5 per person.

For lunch you might choose the "Executive Club'' which is an assorted variety of gourmet finger sandwiches, potato chips or potato salad, freshly baked cookies, fruit, sodas and water. The cost for this lunch selection would work out to about $10 to $13 per person.

For a light evening meal order the "P.M. Express'' which is platters of finger sandwiches, fresh veggies and fresh seasonal fruit for about $9 per person.

She advised she caters for many various functions such as board meetings, corporate celebrations, cocktail parties and Christmas parties.

During the summer Ms. Sousa estimates they serve about 300 people a day in the shop and about 50 of that number are locals.

The yachties tied along the wharf and those moored in the harbour "drift in'' to this charming coffee house. They are the ones wearing boat shoes and hats sitting off, slowly sipping coffee, while gazing into the horizon in a dream state.

Ms. Sousa shyly admitted she has a lot of skills. She has a gift for cooking, a lot of restaurant and catering experience and she has a mind for numbers.

As much as the energetic and charismatic Ms. Sousa thrives on her gourmet world, she concluded that following college she does plan to make a career change. "I have always wanted to be an accountant and I am working toward that goal.'' Caffe Latte's phone number is: 297-8196 St. George's hours are: 8am to 4pm Monday through Friday and 8am until 2pm on Saturday.

Java : Latasha Jones, supervisor of Caffe Latte serves it hot.

Manager: Caffe Latte's Wendy Sousa is a friendly fixture in St. George's.